50 ways to say I love you

Let me begin this review by asking you a question: were you that kid who loved the scariest roller coaster at the fun-fair, or not?

Did you answer yes? Then continue reading.

I have just what you’re looking for: a supercar. Simply put, an insane, gorgeous and highly desirable piece of supremely fast motoring. They draw the same scary, but exhilarating, adrenaline as the ominous rides at the fun-fair.

Analogies aside, Mercedes-AMG has a new topless roadster that has been added to their gorgeous GT range. The GT range offers an alternative to an Aston Martin, Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type, AUDI R8 and the BMW i8.

What the GT does so well is express its visceral personality. In bucket loads! During my week with the supercar, it was impossible to go unnoticed. Now in a drop top, the GT C is bold, beautiful and it knows it - roaring its way forward with a popped collar.

The limited 50 Edition of the GT C featured a unique matte black paint finish which makes it resemble Batman’s Batmobile. It’s wide - almost 2-meters so. From inside the cabin, it feels like you and your co-driver are sitting in a leather-ensconced cockpit while looking at a king-sized bed bonnet. That sounds kinky! Albeit, the dynamic cockpit is snug at the same time. Highlights are the easy to use, well-made electronics that flow from the massive transmission tunnel. The figure-hugging bucket seats hold you in place like the firm grasp of a baseball mitt to a baseball before an aggressive throw. That’s a good thing with the enormous amounts of power offered from its 4.0-liter, V8 biturbo-petrol. It’s the same engine that lies under the bonnet of the GT, GT S and GT R only; each model has been tweaked to offer more power than the next. The GT C fits in between the GT S and GT R. More closely engineered like the R model, featuring the same grille and wider body. The GT C is tuned to push 410 kW of power and 680 N.m of torque. Translated on the asphalt, the driver and passenger are aggressively catapulted forward. So intense is the G-force that your neck is called into action to hold your face in place, but your smile and trembling hands are a dead giveaway from its adrenaline injection.

The GT C features four-wheel steering; a nifty feature that essentially abbreviates the function of turning. On the go, only small steering inputs are required to achieve more dramatic movements.

Breaking is phenomenal. It would have to be - with sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds,it's reassuring to knowing that its fat tyres and large brake callipers retard its brisk movements very quickly.

Although the GT C features a driving mode controller, the Comfort mode, is more decorative. It’s not a comfortable car. But let’s be honest - it’s a supercar. What supercar is Comfort? Click it past Sport and into Sport + mode, and things become wild. Scary wild. The term, “it’s on steroids” is apt. Masses of power are unleashed onto the road in such an aggressive manner, you’ll unhinge the car’s rear end. Shift left then right it wiggles its tail in excitement as blasts forward. And then there is Race mode. Suffice to say, that Sport + was enough to get me going.

Being a droptop, you’d expect some chassis compromise due to the roof being chopped off. This isn’t the case at all with the GT C. The body is super rigid, so no scuttle is felt because there isn’t any.

The GT C is an exceptional sports car - beautiful, dynamic, fun to drive (quickly), filled with tech and although the same price as an upmarket two-bedroom apartment, it’s well-priced compared to its rivals.

On the downside, as an everyday commuter - doing office and grocery store runs - there are many more practical options. But this statement is superfluous - it’s a supercar after all.

Plus +

Beautiful.

Exceptionally fast.

Dynamic.

Well-priced.

Minus -

Not easy to get in and out of.

Firm ride.

Thirsty.

The competition

Audi R8, Porsche Carrera, Aston Martin Vantage, BMW i8 and F-Type

Pricing

GT Coupè R1961 844

GT S Coupè R2 218 756

GT Roadster R2 211 186

GT C Roadster R2 615 746

GT C Roadster GT Edition 50 R2 880 746

GT R Coupè R2 705 746

Service and warranty

The Mercedes-AMG product range is sold with a 6-year service and maintenance plan.